Mumbai: The State government has said that if the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) does not find the two suggested alternative locations for a bullet train terminus at Kurla technically feasible, it will make available the originally proposed land at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
The State government will inform the Central government of this at a meeting scheduled in New Delhi next week to finalise the project plan. The State has also suggested that the terminus and the proposed International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) project be integrated and built at the same site.
The Maharashtra government and the Ministry of Railways have been at loggerheads over the location for the terminus. While the Railways have insisted that the Mumbai station be constructed underground at BKC, the State had said the land was reserved for the IFSC much before the terminus was planned.
‘Merge both projects’
Now, however, the State government has written to the NHSRCL saying, “The government of Maharashtra had suggested two alternatives so the viability of the International Financial Services Centre Project is not adversely affected. However, if the alternative locations are not found technically feasible for the bullet train project, the original location suggested by the NHSRCL will be made available with suitable terms and conditions to ensue both projects are merged.”
Earlier, the NHSRCL had ruled out the prospect of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) rolling into Kurla’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, which was suggested as an alternative by the State.
The MAHSR was sanctioned by the Indian government in December 2015 and is estimated to cost ₹1,08,000 crore. The 508-km railway line will have 12 stations, of which Mumbai, Thane, Virar and Boisar are in Maharashtra.
Assessments underway
The target date of completion for the project is August 2022. A general consultant has been appointed for the project, and the ground survey has also been completed, officials said.
“The geotechnical investigations are complete except in Palghar district. The environmental and social impact assessments and the detailed design are in progress,” a senior official told The Hindu .
